Senate advances change to Arkansas drunk driving law

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Senate has endorsed a change to the state's driving while intoxicated law that could prevent a more than $50 million loss in federal highway funds.

The Senate voted 25-6 on Wednesday in favor of a proposal to make DWI an offense for which prosecutors don't have to prove intent. The measure would apply only to alcohol-related DWI offenses.

An earlier version of the proposal had failed before a Senate panel Tuesday.

The measure was proposed after the state Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that DWI is not a "strict scrutiny" offense in which prosecutors don't have to show intent. State highway officials have said the ruling threatened transportation funding that's tied to the state's DWI laws.

The measure now heads to the House.

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